Pushbutton operated switch having relatively rotatable cylindrical members with one having an elongated conductor thereon



Aug. 16, 1966 c. J. SCHULTZ PUSHBUTTON OPERATED SWITCH HAVING RELATIVELYROTATABLE CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS WITH ONE HAVING AN ELONGATED CONDUCTORTHEREON Flled May 15. 1.964

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United States Patent 3,267,244 PUSHBUTTON OPERATED SWITCH HAVING REL-ATIVELY ROTATABLE CYLINDRICAL MEM- BERS WITH ONE HAVING AN ELONGATEDCONDUCTOR THEREON Curtis J. Schultz, Elmhnrst, Ill., assignor toMotorola,

Inc., Franklin Park, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 15, 1964,Ser. No. 367,728 Claims. (Cl. 200-467) This invention relates toelectrical switches, and more particularly to a multiple position switchadapted to interconnect a plurality of terminals in variousconfigurations according to the position of the switch.

Rotary-type switches are often used to switch an electrical circuit to avariety of different conditions according to the relative rotaryposition of contact and wipers in a switch structure. Heretofore, suchswitches have been somewhat limited in the number of terminals which canbe interconnected in each switch position and also in the possibleelectrical configurations of the interconnections.

Under certain circumstances it may be preferred to use a reciprocallyactuated switch rather than a rotarytype switch to perform a switchingoperation. This is because reciprocally actuated switches, such as forexample the' type of switch that is actuated upon depression of apushbutton, may be easier to actuate either manually or automatically.They may also provide a more attractive general appearance in that thepushbutton may be made flush with the surface of the panel on which itis mounted. A further advantage of the reciprocally actuated switch isthat the pushbutton will remain in an upright position at all timesmaking any printing thereon more easily readable. Heretofore,reciprocally actuated switches did not provide a high degree of circuitflexibility in that they have, for the most part, been limited toselecting one of two switch conditions. Furthermore, visual indicationof the state of such switches has often been unsatisfactory.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedmulti-position rotary switch having a high degree of circuit flexibilityand which is adaptable to reciprocal actuation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotarytype switchadapted to interconnect a large number of terminals in varyingelectrical configurations for each switch position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotarytype switch ofimproved construction which may be reciprocally actuated and whichprovides improved visual indication of the state of such switch.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a multiposition switchhaving relatively movable complementary surfaces wherein contactconfiguration on one surface can be changed to change the switchprogram.

Another feature is the provision of a switch having one member with aplurality of contacts spaced axially and angularly with respect to eachother and another relatively rotatable member with printed circuits onthe surface thereof to bridge the contacts in different axial andangular positions of the members relative to each other.

In the drawing: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a switchconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged half section assembly view of the switch; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

The multiple position switch of the invention comprises a pair ofstructural members having concentric comple- One member carriesconductors having axially and angularly spaced contact portionsprotrudice ing from the surface thereof. The other member carries one ormore conductors on its surface, and the two members are relativelyrotatable. Accordingly, predetermined combinations of the contactportions on the one member are engaged by a conductor carried by theother member when aligned therewith, thus bridging various sets ofcontacts in different axial and angular positions of the membersrelative to each other. An actuating mechanism is provided for rotatingthe one member with respect to the other. This actuating mechanism mayinclude a linearly displaceable reciprocal actuating element whichrotates the members relative to each other in steps through successivepositions.

The switch of the invention may be provided in various embodiments. Inone embodiment, one of the relatively rotatable members comprises asupport structure with a cylindrical chamber and the other membercomprises a cylinder disposed in the chamber. The conductor on thecylinder is a conductive strip of a given configuration so that it maybe aligned with predetermined combinations of the contact portions ofthe conductors on the support structure as the cylinder is rotated withrespect to the support structure. The support structure may beconstructed to permit removal of the cylinder in order that cylindershaving different numbers and configurations of conductive strips on thesurface thereof may be selectively placed in the chamber for programmingthe switch. The cylinder may be hollow to accommodate an illuminationstructure which provides a visual indication of the condition of theswitch. The actuating mechanism may include a zigzag cam track formed inthe'cylinder, with cam pins extending therein from the supportstructure. A pushbutton and opposing spring cause reciprocation of thecylinder 'upon depression and release of the pushbutton. When thecylinder reciprocates within the chamher, the cam and cam track causerotation of the cylinder therein in discrete steps, each stepcorresponding to one reciprocation of the pushbutton.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the switch of theinvention includes a support structure 11 which may be of plastic orother material. Support struc ture 11 includes a rectangular flange 12for mounting on brackets 14 of control panel 19 (FIG. 2). Supportstructure 11 is comprised of a body 13 and a plurality of lug strips 15mounted thereon by screws 16. Each of lug strips 15 carries a pluralityof lugs 17 attached thereto by rivets 18.

Body 13 of support structure 11 is provided with a plurality of recesses21 in which are disposed contact pins 23. Contact pins 23 are disposedin respective holes in the bottom of recesses 21, and each contact pinhas a contact portion 24 extending into a cylindrical chamber 25 in body13 of support structure 11. Contact portions 24 constitute one set ofswitch contacts as will be explained in more detail subsequently. Eachof lugs 17 has a resilient end 27 extending into one of the recesses 21to engage the head of a respective one of contact pins 23 and hold thepin in the hole in the bottom of recess 21. Accordingly, the lug 17 andthe resilient end 27, together with contact pins 23 with contactportions 24, constitute a conductor from the inner cylindrical surfaceof cylindrical chamber 25 to the exterior of support structure 11.According to the particular switch configuration desired, certain oflugs 17 may be unnecessary. In such a case the associated contact pin 23may be removed.

A hollow cylinder 31 has one or more conductive strips 33 disposed onthe outer surface thereof. These may be placed thereon according to alaminated or printed circuit board technique, and may be of any desiredconfiguration. Cylinder 31 is disposed in cylindrical chamber 25 ofsupport structure 11 to be rotatable therein, and the outer surface ofcylinder 31 and the inner surface of chamber are complementary. Whencylinder 31 is rotated in chamber 25, conductive strips 33 will engagevarious combinations of contact portions 24 according to the presence orabsence of contact pins 23, and to the configuration of conductivestrips 33.

By varying either or both of these latter two items, the switch may beprogrammed to electrically connect any of the various lugs on the outersurface of support structure 11. Electrical crossover of conductivestrips 33 may be accomplished by running a conductor through thecylinder 31 and along the inside surface thereof. Thus, the switch ofthe invention operates in three dimensions rather than the moreconventional two dimensional planer configurations common to otherrotary switches. The switch of the invention permits interconnection ofcontacts spaced both axially and circumferentially, i.e., at a pluralityof angular positions, and each such contact may be connected in acircuit of difierent configuration in each discrete position of rotationof the cylinder 31. It will be seen that great variety of switch statesis possible, and that any of the contacts may be bridged orinterconnected irrespective of their relative axial or circumferentialpositions. These switch states may be repeated during a singlerevolution of cylinder 31 by making the configuration of the conductorson the surface of the cylinder redundant. For example, by repeating agiven configuration of conductors on the surface of cylinder 31, fourtimes when the switch has 12 discrete positions during its rotation, aparticular switch state will be repeated every third position during thecourse of a single rotation.

A reciprocal actuating mechanism is provided for rotating cylinder 31and chamber 25 through a series of discrete steps. This mechanismincludes a pushbutton structure comprising a pushbutton 41, atransparent color plate 43, and a light conducting actuating member 45.Cylinder 31 has a disc 47 force fit in its hollow interior at one'endthereof. Disc 47 has an opening 48 therein through which a cylindricallight conducting projection 49 on actuating member extends. Actuatingmember 45 has a reflecting conical bore 42 for diffusing light fromprojection 49, and further has an annular bearing ridge 51 thereon whichengages the end of cylinder 31.

Projecting wall 44 mates in channel 46 in body 13 to guide thepushbutton structure, which is secure-d to body 13 by clips 50.Pushbutton 41 is shown flush with the surface of panel 19, but of courseother ways of mounting would be well within the scope of the invention.

The opposite enlarged end 65 of cylinder 31 is engaged by a coil spring53, held in a recess 55 in a cap 57. Cap 57 is secured to body 13 ofsupport structure 11 by means of a plurality of locking projections 61extending from body 13, which projections cooperate in correspondingL-shaped locking grooves 63 on the interior surface of cap 57. Coilspring 53 biases the cylinder outwardly in chamber 25. This causesreciprocal motion of cylinder 31 in chamber 25 according to depressionand release of pushbutton 41 as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2.

Reciprocal motion of cylinder 31 in chamber 25 is converted intorotation in discrete steps by means of a camming arrangement. A zigzagcam track 67 is formed in the enlarged end of cylinder 31. A pluralityof screws 71 having cam projections or pins 73 thereon are threadedthrough the wall of support structure 11 so that cam pins 73 extend intozigzag cam track 67. These cam pins also serve to hold cylinder 31against the bias of coil spring 53, and limit the linear displacement ofthe cylinder in chamber 25.

As pushbutton 41 is depressed and then released so that spring 53returns it to its original position, the reciprocating movement ofcylinder 31 in chamber 25 causes cam pins 73 to first move along onetack of cam track 67 and then, as spring 53 returns the cylinder to theoutward position, to ride along the other tack. The action between campins 73 and cam track 67 causes cylinder 31 to rotate within chamber 25.Each depression and release of pushbutton 41, and hence reciprocation ofcylinder 31 in chamber 25, causes rotation of cylinder 31 in a discretestep. Each of these steps may result in a different configuration forthe switch, or the switch may be programmed so that any number ofconfigurations may repeat with predetermined frequency as cylinder 31rotates in chamber 25. Of course, cylinder 31 could also be rotateddirectly by a rotary knob, possibly being detent positioned wheredesired.

Illumination to provide a visual indication of the condition of theswitch is provided in the hollow interior 81 of cylinder 31.Illumination is provided by a plurality of bulbs 83 mounted in a socket85. Socket 85 is held in the interior 81 of cylinder 31 so thatbulbs 83are disposed adjacent the pushbutton by means of a pair of support clips87. Support clips 87 have ridges 88 which cooperate with spring 53 tosuspend socket 85 in place. Further support is provided by clips 87wedging against the walls of the hollow interior 81 of cylinder 31.Electrical connection from the bulbs to the exterior of the switch isaccomplished through a plurality of connecting lugs 91, which may beconnected to a corresponding plurality of connecting lugs 93 in aterminal board 94 held between support clips 87. When actuating member45 is made of a light conductive material, and where pushbutton 41 istranslucent or transparent, light will shine through color plate 43. Thebulbs 83 may be electrically connected to lugs 17, so that apredetermined condition of the switch will energize one or all of thebulbs for dilferent degrees of brightness.

There are numerous other possible ways of visually indicating thecondition of the switch of the invention. Projection 49 might beeliminated and disc 47 made without opening 43. Then the disc 47 mightbe made opaque or translucent and provided with a transparent portion orportions to constitute a shutter which changes light intensity or theposition of a light spot on the pushbutton. Plate 43 may be made neutraland color provided by using colored bulbs. If a shutter technique isused, various colors or combinations thereof could be selectivelytransmitted to the pushbutton display surface according to the conditionof the switch. The various indications selected may be repeated during asingle rotation of the switch if the condition of the switch is maderedundant during a single rotation.

It may therefore, be seen that the invention provides an improvedreciprocally actuated switch having a high degree of circuit flexibilitywith improved visual indication of the condition of the switch. Theswitch may be preprogrammed for a variety of configurations and condi--tions, and the construction is simple, strong and reliable.

I claim:

1. A multiple position switch including in combination, first and secondinsulating members having concentric complementary surfaces positionedadjacent to each other, a plurality of electrical contacts carried bysaid first member and spaced axially and circumferentially with respectto each other on said complementary surface of said first member,elongated electric-a1 conductor means disposed on a portion of saidcomplementary surface of said second member and insulated thereby, saidfirst and second members being relatively rotatable with said conductormeans successively engaging various predetermined angul-arly andcircumferentially spaced ones of said contacts when aligned therewith,actuating means coupled to one of said first and second members forrotating said members relative to each other, thereby aligning saidconductor means with predetermined combinations of said contacts forelectrically interconnecting the same according to the operation of saidactuating means.

2. A multiple position switch including in combination, first and secondinsulating members having concentric complementary surfaces positionedadjacent to each other, electrical conductor means carried by said firstmember on a surface thereof opposite said cylindrical, surface,

said conductor means having contact portions protruding from saidcomplementary surface of said first member and spaced axially andcircumferentially with respect to each other, a plurality of discreteconductive strips each having a given configuration and disposed on saidcylindrical surface of said second member, said conductive strips beinginsulated from each other by said second member, said first and secondmembers being relatively rotatable with said conductive strips eachsuccessively engaging various predetermined combinations of angularlyand clrcumferentially spaced ones of said contact portions when alignedtherewith, actuating means coupled to one of said first and secondmembers for rotating said members relative to each other, therebyaligning each of said conductive strips with predetermined combinationsof said contact portions for electrically interconnecting the sameaccording to the operation of said actuating means.

3. A multiple position switch including in combination, a supportstructure having a cylindrical chamber, a plurality of electricalconductors mounted on said structure and having contact portionsprotruding into said cylindrica'l chamber and spaced axially andcircumferentially with respect to each other, an insulating cylinderhaving a plurality of separate elongated electrical conductor means onthe surface thereof, said cylinder being disposed in said chamber to berotatable therein with each of said conductor means successivelyengaging various predetermined combinations of angularly and circumferentially spaced ones of said contact portions whenraligned therewith,actuating means coupled to said cylinder for rotating the same, therebysuccessively bringing said conductor means into alignment withpredetermined cornbinations of said contact portions for electricallyinterconnecting the same according to the operation of said actuatingmeans.

4. A multiple position switch including in combination, a supportstructure having a cylindrical chamber, a plurality of electricalconductors mounted on said structure and having contact portionsprotruding into said cylindrical chamber and spaced axially landcircumferentially with respect to each other, an insulating cylinderhaving a plurality of electrically conductive strips each of a givenconfiguration disposed on the surface thereof and insulated from eachother, said cylinder being disposed in said chamber to be rotatabletherein with said conductive strips each successively engaging variouspredetermined combinations of angularly and circumferentially spacedones of said contact portions when aligned therewith, actuating meanscoupled to said cylinder for rotating the same, thereby successivelybringing each of said conductive strips into alignment withpredetermined combinations of said contact portions for electricallyinterconnecting the same according to the operation of said actuatingmeans, said support structure being constructed to permit removal ofsaid cylinder from said chamber so that cylinders having differentconfigurations of conductive strips on the surface thereof may beselectively placed in said chamber for programming said switch.

5. A multiple position switch including in combination, a supportstructure having a cylindrical chamber, a plurality of electricalconductors mounted on said structure and having resilient contactportions protruding into said cylindrical chamber and spaced axially andcircumferen tially with respect to each other, an elongated hollowinsulating cylinder having an electrically conductive strip printed onthe surface thereof, said cylinder being mounted in said chamber to berotatable therein with said conductive strip successively engagingvarious predetermined combinations of angularly and circumferenti-allyspaced ones of said contact portions when aligned therewith, actuatingmeans coupled to said cylinder for rotating the same, therebysuccessively bringing said conductive strip into engagement withpredetermined combinations of said contact portions for electricallyinterconnecting the same according to the operation of said actuatingmeans, said support structure being constructed to permit removal ofsaid cylinder from said cylindrical chamber so that interchangeabilityof different cylinders with different configurations of conductivestrips is possible, and illumination means disposed in the interior ofsaid cylinder and cooperating with means movable with said cylinder forproviding a visual indication of the position of said switch.

6. A multiple position switch including in combination, a supportstructure having a cylindrical chamber, first conductor means mounted onsaid support structure and having resilient contact portions protrudinginto said cylindrical chamber and being spaced axially andcircumferentially with respect to each other, a cylinder having secondconductor means on the surface thereof, said cylinder being mounted insaid chamber to be rotatable therein, with said second conductor meanssuccessively engaging various predetermined combinations of angularlyand circumferentially spaced ones of said contact portions when alignedtherewith, linearly displaceable reciprocal actuating means connected tosaid cylinder for linearly displacing the same Within said chamber inreciprocating fashion, and translating means coupling said cylinder tosaid structure and responsive to reciprocation of said cylinder in saidchamber to rotate said cylinder with respect to said support structureto successive positions, thereby aligning said second conductor meanswith predetermined combinations of said contact portions according tothe operation of said actuating means.

7. A multiple position switch including in combination, a supportstructure having a cylindrical chamber, a plurality of conductorsmounted on said structure and having resilient contact portionsprotruding into said cylindrical chamber, an elongated hollow cylinderhaving c-onductor means on the surface thereof and further having azigzag cam track formed therein, said cylinder being mounted in saidchamber to be rotatable and linearly displaceable therein with saidconductor means engaging predetermined combinations of said contactportions when aligned therewith, a manually depressible push buttonconnected to said cylinder for displacing the same longi-- tudinally insaid cylindrical chamber, resilient means biasing said cylinder againstthe displacement of said button to provide reciprocal action, cam meanson said support structure extending into said cam track in said cylinderto cause rotation of said cylinder responsive to reciprocal lineardisplacement thereof, said'cam means being removable from said cam trackto permit removal of said cylinder from said chamber for replacementthereof, whereby repeated reciprocal actuation of said push button willrotate said cylinder to successively bring said conductor means intoalignment with predetermined combinations of said contact portionsaccording to the operation of said push button.

8. A multiple position switch including in combination, a supportstructure having a cylindrical chamber, a plurality of conductorsmounted on said structure and having cont-act portions protruding intosaid cylindrical chamber, a cylinder having conductor means on thesurface thereof, said cylinder being mounted in said chamber to berotatable therein with said conductor means engaging predeterminedcombinations of said contact portions when aligned therewith, linearlydisplaceable reciprocal actuating means coupled to said cylinder forrotating the same through successive positions responsive to lineardisplacement of said actuating means, said actuating means including apush button structure at one end of said cylinder, said cylinder havinga hollow interior portion, illumination means mounted in said hollowinterior portion, said illumination means comprising a socket and alight bulb mounted therein, and further comprising resilient clip meansengaging the walls of said hollow interior portion of said cylinder forsecuring said illumination means therein, said push button structureincluding means for transmitting light to the exterior surface thereof.for providing a visual indication of the condition of said switch.

9. A multiple position switch including in combination, a supportstructure having a cylindrical chamber, a plurality of electricalconductors mounted on said support structure and having resilientcontact portions protruding into said cylindrical chamber, said contactportions being positioned at a plurality of angular positions about saidchamber and at a plurality of axial positions along said chamber, aninsulating cylinder having electrical conductor means on the surfacethereof, said cylinder being mounted in said chamber to be rotatable to-a plurality of discrete positions therein, wit-h said conductor meansbridging various combinations of said contact portions for electricallyinterconnecting the same in certain positions of said cylinder, andreciprocal actuating means cooperating with said support structure andsaid cylinder tor rotating said cylinder to said discrete positions withrespect to said chamber.

10. A multiple position switch including in combination, a supportstructure having a cylindrical chamber, a plurality of electricalconductors mounted on said support structure and having resilientcontact portions'protruding into said cylindrical chamber, said contactportions being positioned at a plurality of angular positions about saidchamber and at a plurality of axial positions of said cylinder, and pushbutton operated reciprocal actuating means cooperating with said supportstructure and said cylinder for rotating said cylinder to said discretepositions With respect to said chamber.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,277,899 3/1942Aufiero 20026 2,791,721 5/1957 Fuqua et al. 200156 X 2,853,563 9/1958Bole et al 2008 2,868,901 1/1959 Hawks et al. 200-8 3,182,141 5/1965Koci et al 200156 X ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Examiner.

H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MULTIPLE POSITION SWITCH INCLUDING IN COMBINATION, FIRST AND SECONDINSULATING MEMBERS HAVING CONCENTRIC COMPLEMENTARY SURFACES POSITIONEDADJACENT TO EACH OTHER, A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS CARRIED BYSAID FIRST MEMBER AND SPACED AXIALLY AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY WITH RESPECTTO EACH OTHER ON SAID COMPLEMENTARY SURFACE OF SAID FIRST MEMBER,ELONGATED ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR MEANS DISPOSED ON A PORTION OF SAIDCOMPLEMENTARY SURFACE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER AND INSULATED THEREBY, SAIDFIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS BEING RELATIVELY ROTATABLE WITH SAID CONDUCTORMEANS SUCCESSIVELY ENGAGING VARIOUS PREDETERMINED ANGULARLY ANDCIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ONES OF SAID CONTACTS WHEN ALIGNED THEREWITH,ACTUATING MEANS COUPLED TO ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS FORROTATING SAID MEMBERS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, THEREBY ALIGNING SAIDCONDUCTOR MEANS WITH PREDETERMINED COMBINATIONS OF SAID CONTACTS FORELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTING THE SAME ACCORDING TO THE OPERATION OF SAIDACTUATING MEANS.